Hiroshi Tanahashi New British Heavyweight Champion

[chrom]

With all the hubbub about All Out last night, overlooked yesterday was New Japan Pro Wrestling's Royal Quest show which saw Hiroshi Tanahashi defeat Zack Sabre Jr to capture The RPW British Heavyweight Championship.

After having a sub .500 G1 for the first time some had written off Tanahashi but The Ace once again finds a way back on top.

[Deleted]

Going nuts in the crowd for a Tanahashi title victory celebration is gonna be one of my favourite memories.

[Deleted]

nice

[Mozenrath]

Damn. Sabre must be losing his mind.

[eJm]

Yeah, that was a really cool moment to see.

Also a pretty good boon to Rev Pro for having their belt on one of the genuine greatest of all time.

[Brood Lone Wolf Funker]

If Sabre wasn't reading Shakespeare to dogs he may have won

[Convoy]

The rematch is already set, and with Jericho/Tana likely still the plan for WK, he might lose the belt back quickly.

Still, I think Tana/ZSJ is a match-up that’s always guaranteed to deliver. This would be their fifth match in 2019.

[Dub H]

Ah yes,my favorite britishman, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

[eJm]

Sept 2, 2019 10:31:09 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Ah yes,my favorite britishman, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

He's up there with my other favourite British people (and former champs), Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata and AJ Styles.

[HMARK Center]

I remember a few years ago Tana saying he really wanted to win the ROH title at some point.

I think he's more than happy to switch plans toward this.

[ANuclearError]

Sept 2, 2019 10:42:49 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I remember a few years ago Tana saying he really wanted to win the ROH title at some point.

I think he's more than happy to switch plans toward this.

Looking forward to seeing him in the opening match on a Fantasticamania 2030 in a 10 man tag.

I don't think we've seen a proper "New Japan Dad" transition yet in NJPW's western boom. Think guys like Nagata, Tencozy were pretty much already at that stage.

[MrElijah]

Sept 2, 2019 10:34:37 GMT -5 eJm said:

Sept 2, 2019 10:31:09 GMT -5 Dub H said:

Ah yes,my favorite britishman, Hiroshi Tanahashi.

He's up there with my other favourite British people (and former champs), Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata and AJ Styles.

I do believe for his win, Tanahashi is the new Lord of Eaton.

[Mozenrath]

Sept 2, 2019 12:05:31 GMT -5 MrElijah said:

Sept 2, 2019 10:34:37 GMT -5 eJm said:

He's up there with my other favourite British people (and former champs), Minoru Suzuki, Tomohiro Ishii, Katsuyori Shibata and AJ Styles.

I do believe for his win, Tanahashi is the new Lord of Eaton.

"Hey, Bobby, mow my lawn."

"Fine. But only because you're my Lord."

[HMARK Center]

Sept 2, 2019 10:54:44 GMT -5 ANuclearError said:

Sept 2, 2019 10:42:49 GMT -5 HMARK Center said:

I remember a few years ago Tana saying he really wanted to win the ROH title at some point.

I think he's more than happy to switch plans toward this.

Looking forward to seeing him in the opening match on a Fantasticamania 2030 in a 10 man tag.

I don't think we've seen a proper "New Japan Dad" transition yet in NJPW's western boom. Think guys like Nagata, Tencozy were pretty much already at that stage.

Pretty much; by the time NJPW’s current expansion was going on, Tenzan and Kojima were winning the NWA title while Liger was winning the NWA Jr belt. That’s what gave us Big Daddy Yum-Yum in a NJPW ring.

Tana will still get his chances to shine, for sure; hell, the ace before him, Nagata, still won the NEVER title shortly before he turned 50.

[Convoy]

I also think Tana is a special case. Even as he slows down, the company won’t “dad” him in the same way they did to the Third Generation. We might see a Liger-like route where he loses a bit more, but doesn’t lose his shine, and eventually rides off into the sunset on his terms. If anyone is worthy, it’s the ACE that saved the company.

[Cyno]

I want to see the Ace adopt British mannerisms now even though it won't happen.

[Fundertaker]

Sept 2, 2019 17:48:58 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I want to see the Ace adopt British mannerisms now even though it won't happen.

Lord ACE I

[HMARK Center]

Sept 2, 2019 17:45:22 GMT -5 Convoy said:

I also think Tana is a special case. Even as he slows down, the company won’t “dad” him in the same way they did to the Third Generation. We might see a Liger-like route where he loses a bit more, but doesn’t lose his shine, and eventually rides off into the sunset on his terms. If anyone is worthy, it’s the ACE that saved the company.

That's a fair point; for as beloved as Nagata is, he, through no fault of his own, was stuck reigning as ace over an often dark era in the company's history. They still wanted to do right by him, but Tanahashi's accomplishments and borderline willing of the promotion back to relevance gives him an extra dose of aura that they'll bank on for awhile longer.

But yeah, given how beaten up he's been the past couple of years, it's still for the best if they let Ibushi grow into his spot and let him take a few more tours off now and then.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

Sept 2, 2019 17:48:58 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I want to see the Ace adopt British mannerisms now even though it won't happen.

He should come to the ring with a top hat, monocle and a cane. And he mixes in the term “jolly what” with his usual Japanese promos a lot.

[Allie Kitsune]

Sept 3, 2019 10:40:29 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

Sept 2, 2019 17:48:58 GMT -5 Cyno said:

I want to see the Ace adopt British mannerisms now even though it won't happen.

He should come to the ring with a top hat, monocle and a cane. And he mixes in the term “jolly what” with his usual Japanese promos a lot.

Even better, a flat cap. And he shouts "'Ello, Guvna!" in a rough tone at people.